With many celebratory events, NEWiRE has marked the milestone of its 30th anniversary by honoring the outstanding achievements of its members and leadership over the past 30 years. On January 18th, NEWiRE hosted a 30th Anniversary Luncheon program in the Wharf Room of the Boston Harbor Hotel. Gloria Cordes Larson was the guest speaker for this celebration entitled "Women in Leadership." A prominent lawyer, public policy expert, and business leader, Larson currently holds the position of president of Bentley University. What better way to acknowledge the success and continued advancement and achievements of NEWiRE's membership than by listening to a visionary woman?
The luncheon began by introducing the founding members of the organization, who were recognized for having the vision to support and promote the role of women in the commercial real estate industry. Susan Leff and Rosalind Gorin, two of NEWiRE's founding members, reflected on how NEWiRE started 30 years ago and how far it has come. A tenet of the organization that has remained the same all these years: providing members with programs of the highest caliber. The founders spoke to the value of NEWiRE relationships that have both personally and professionally supported them through the years.
Named as one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Boston, president Larson shared the remarkable story of her career, her passion for public policy, and her commitment to advancing women. Larson, who calls herself "a public policy junkie," started working on economic policy during the governor William Weld administration, and led a business advisory cabinet for governor Deval Patrick. Since joining Bentley University in 2007, she has been instrumental in the launch of the Center for Women and Business to advance women business leaders in the corporate world. She has also collaborated with City Year, a leading nationwide youth organization that provides future leaders with an excellent business education at Bentley. Larson compared herself to one of her favorite book characters, Nancy Drew, by being "a positive problem solver to help people." She is an inspirational woman and has worked to develop a collaborative leadership among men and women. Larson is also a former NEWiRE member. Attendees were energized by Larson's dynamic presentation and her commitment to economic policy, public service and education. A woman in leadership, indeed.
NEWiRE's next luncheon is March 13th and we are pleased to have Cathy Minehan as our guest speaker. Minehan is dean of the School of Management at Simmons College, former president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and a member of the Federal Open Market Committee. Don't miss out on this luncheon! We encourage you to visit our website at www.newire.org for a complete listing of upcoming NEWiRE events and registration information.
Janet Pirrello is a senior vice president at BayNorth Capital and the 2011-2012 president of New England Women in Real Estate (NEWiRE), Boston, Mass.